Retail Openings and Closures

[iacrenter]

If you took Cucina Enoteca out of Spectrum, the Marketplace (post these changeouts) would reign as the #1 dining destination in Irvine.

Problem is, C-E is just that good.

I'm a fan too. Although it does sometimes miss on the rare occasion (but I guess that can be said of any restaurant). This is the only restaurant my newport /cdm friends will trek over to "far far" irvine for.

I'm gonna respectfully disagree.  Cucina is all right.  It's a casual sit down place with average food.  I think the Artist's District in Santa Ana blows away all local areas for food, drinks and vibe...but it's in Santa Ana.

+1

Playground >>> C-E

No arguments here. Cucina scores extra points for me in that it's at the spectrum (a kid friendly environment) and the restaurant itself is kid friendly. Not many places I can go with 3 other families all with kids for a nice early dinner or brunch in irvine.  That's what I view cucina as. Playground is more date night / go out with friends. Different category for me.  Plus this is an irvine discussion.

I do like C-E and it is definely one of the better restaurants in Irvine. Along with Javier, it is also one of my go to places in the Specrrum.

 

[OCgasman]

If you took Cucina Enoteca out of Spectrum, the Marketplace (post these changeouts) would reign as the #1 dining destination in Irvine.

Problem is, C-E is just that good.

I'm a fan too. Although it does sometimes miss on the rare occasion (but I guess that can be said of any restaurant). This is the only restaurant my newport /cdm friends will trek over to "far far" irvine for.

I'm gonna respectfully disagree.  Cucina is all right.  It's a casual sit down place with average food.  I think the Artist's District in Santa Ana blows away all local areas for food, drinks and vibe...but it's in Santa Ana.

+1

Playground >>> C-E

No arguments here. Cucina scores extra points for me in that it's at the spectrum (a kid friendly environment) and the restaurant itself is kid friendly. Not many places I can go with 3 other families all with kids for a nice early dinner or brunch in irvine.  That's what I view cucina as. Playground is more date night / go out with friends. Different category for me.  Plus this is an irvine discussion.

I do like C-E and it is definely one of the better restaurants in Irvine. Along with Javier, it is also one of my go to places in the Specrrum.

Dude, Javier's is worse than Cucina.  I think the food sucks there.  Same with Gabby's in the circle.  Just horribly overpriced Mexican food in a hipster environment to justify their $14 Mojito.

 

[OpenSky]

8)

 

[jmoney74]

Anywho, Irvine is pretty much a C- for dining vs the rest of OC. Fullerton, Laguna, Orange, Santa Ana -- hard to find bad joints in the heart of these hoods. In Irvine, we're picking the cleanest dirty shirts.

So finding a decent craft beer within stumbling distance outside La Sirena Grill is a major hoo-rah.

It is getting better though.  We are getting some of the LA Hits in here.  Like Umami Burger.

 

[OpenSky]

 

[bones]

[quote auADFGSFF

 

[qwerty]

Meanwhile, Fullerton and Costa Mesa keep getting better.

yeah Costa Mesa is where we typically try to go on weekends to try new places.

 

[ps99472]

Anywho, Irvine is pretty much a C- for dining vs the rest of OC. Fullerton, Laguna, Orange, Santa Ana -- hard to find bad joints in the heart of these hoods. In Irvine, we're picking the cleanest dirty shirts.

So finding a decent craft beer within stumbling distance outside La Sirena Grill is a major hoo-rah.

It is getting better though.  We are getting some of the LA Hits in here.  Like Umami Burger.

Ok maybe I need to give that another go but thought that was a pretty bad burger experience when I tried it last year in CM.

Recent yelps not so good, I would wait a couple months to hammer out the kinks.  I still crave In N Out more than any other burger.

 

[irvinehomeowner]

I still crave In N Out more than any other

Boom goes the qwertermite!

 

[iacrenter]

If you took Cucina Enoteca out of Spectrum, the Marketplace (post these changeouts) would reign as the #1 dining destination in Irvine.

Problem is, C-E is just that good.

I'm a fan too. Although it does sometimes miss on the rare occasion (but I guess that can be said of any restaurant). This is the only restaurant my newport /cdm friends will trek over to "far far" irvine for.

I'm gonna respectfully disagree.  Cucina is all right.  It's a casual sit down place with average food.  I think the Artist's District in Santa Ana blows away all local areas for food, drinks and vibe...but it's in Santa Ana.

+1

Playground >>> C-E

No arguments here. Cucina scores extra points for me in that it's at the spectrum (a kid friendly environment) and the restaurant itself is kid friendly. Not many places I can go with 3 other families all with kids for a nice early dinner or brunch in irvine.  That's what I view cucina as. Playground is more date night / go out with friends. Different category for me.  Plus this is an irvine discussion.

I do like C-E and it is definely one of the better restaurants in Irvine. Along with Javier, it is also one of my go to places in the Specrrum.

Dude, Javier's is worse than Cucina.  I think the food sucks there.  Same with Gabby's in the circle.  Just horribly overpriced Mexican food in a hipster environment to justify their $14 Mojito.

What is your best Mexican in Irvine then? This question may be a oxymoron.

 

[irvinehomeowner]

What is your best Mexican in Irvine then?

All your qwerty are belong to us.

Seriously... none really.

I like Jalapenos but that's not really a sitdown place (but I prefer them over Chronic Tacos).

El Cholo is okay but closing.

I actually prefer Don Jose... and a place called Flamingo's in Laguna Hills.

Javier's was good... but they keep raising their prices ($4 for an iced tea?) and changing their recipes (their chicken tacos used to be much better).

 

[bones]

fxgh

 

[ps99472]

La Sirena hits the spot well when you crave Mexican

 

[bones]

rg

 

[ps99472]

They have chimi's?? When was that!?

 

[bones]

y

 

[ps99472]

Not asking, demanding it! 

 

[OCgasman]

La Sirena hits the spot well when you crave Mexican

La Sirena is good, but I prefer my Mexican more greasy and hole in the wall.  El Toro Carniceria can't be beat and as an added bonus you can get a big ass order in for catering for cheap.

 

[OpenSky]

8)

 

[OCgasman]

I like La Sirena for the same reason I like Roma D'Italia... They have Sculpin IPA on tap.

Sculpin is great beer but available on draft everywhere.  I'll be impressed if they get Alpine or Russian River on tap.